Giants coach noncommittal on Russell Wilson's future after 21-6 loss; Jaxson Dart remains an option

The New York Giants’ quarterback situation remained unresolved Monday after their 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 1, with head coach Brian Daboll declining to name a starter for Week 2 and leaving the door open to rookie Jaxson Dart.

Daboll repeatedly emphasized that the team would review game tape before making any decisions, saying, "We're going to get home and look at our game," when asked whether Dart might replace Russell Wilson. The coach added, "I've got confidence in Russ. ... We have to do better around overall - coaches, players, [all] around everybody. So we'll get focused and ready to go on to Dallas."

Daboll stopped short of committing to Wilson as the Week 2 starter against the Dallas Cowboys, and at one point acknowledged his comments could be construed as noncommittal. "We're talking about after every game. ... I've got confidence in Russ," Daboll said. "This game isn't on Russell Wilson. It's not on Russell Wilson. Let me make that clear. I have confidence in Russ. We have to do a better job all the way around."

Wilson completed 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards and rushed for 44 yards in his first start with the Giants. New York managed just 231 yards of total offense, went 0-for-2 in the red zone and converted four of 16 third-down attempts. The Giants also held slightly more possession time than Washington but were unable to translate that into sustained drives or points.

The loss left fans and analysts revisiting the team’s offensive struggles from recent years: the Giants ranked 30th in points per game in 2023 and 31st in 2024. Expectations for immediate improvement were tempered by the Week 1 performance, which featured a lethargic attack and no offensive touchdowns.

Daboll’s remarks followed questions about whether New York would move on from a veteran acquisition after a single game. Media accounts noted the possibility of inserting Dart, a rookie, as the starter as early as Week 2, but Daboll emphasized evaluation would come after film study rather than in postgame remarks.

The Giants return home to prepare for a matchup against the Cowboys next Sunday. Daboll said the staff and players would focus on correcting overall execution before firming up any personnel decisions at quarterback. The team’s next public indication of its plans for the position is expected after additional practice and tape review during the week.

The organization did not announce any immediate changes to the roster or quarterback depth chart following the game, and no official timeframe was given for any possible change at starter. Daboll’s stance indicates the team will weigh performance, coaching adjustments and film study before deciding whether to begin handing the offense to Dart or retain Wilson for the short term.